Europe’s Largest Whale Museum to Open in Reykjavík

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Europe’s Largest Whale Museum to Open in Reykjavík

Whales of Iceland, a museum set to open in Reykjavík in mid-August, will be the largest of its kind in Europe. In total there will be 23 to-scale model whales in its main exhibition, representing every kind of whale found off the shores of Iceland, Morgunblaðið reports.

The models were designed and partially constructed in Iceland, while some larger parts were manufactured abroad and recently arrived in 20 separate shipping containers. The complete models are currently being put together at the site of the soon-to-be museum.

“The idea came from the great interest in all things whale related here in Iceland. Forty percent of all tourists here go whale-watching,” said Hörður Bender, a representative for the museum. “The idea is that you will feel like you’re walking on the bottom of the ocean. Everything you see will be cast in blue, and you will feel as if you are walking among swimming whales,” he added.

The museum will be located at Fiskislóð near the Maritime Museum and the Old Harbor.